Tell us a little bit about how you got started with horses.

We used to vacation in New Hampshire with our whole family on 100 acres and there was horses just loose on the property. I got a job one summer in an apple orchard and planted 1,500 plum trees and painted the bottoms of the trees and saved up money and bought a Shetland pony of my own when I was 10.

Whatever happened to that pony?

The guy that used to come out and trim the horse’s feet…used to always ask me if he could have her for a companion for his other pony and his goats. She was getting really old and I never wanted to give her up, but it was time to put her out to pasture…I didn’t really want to see her pass. I just gave her to him so he could give her a good home.

What made you first think of having a therapy horse?

I had sold my horse to go to college and I was in my anatomy lab, and this girl was like, “Oh, you like horses? You should come apply for a job where I work out at the Children’s Farm Home.” I was able to still be involved with horses, even though I wasn’t able to own my own in college. Then when I finished school, I transferred to their Portland facility. I still work there.

What is your horse’s name?

Elmo. He’s a miniature pinto. It’s funny because I saw him online. I called the lady and I asked her if I could bring kids out on a visit to see if they liked him, so I actually loaded up a minivan with kids from the treatment facility and they went with me. When we were leaving, the kids were like: “You gonna buy him?” and I went out the next day and purchased him.

Can you describe your process to train him to become a therapy horse?

I brought him into Home Depot and pet stores, inside buildings, so he could get used to sliding glass doors and lots of people coming up to him. He wears little shoes…so he doesn’t slip on the floors.

What is it like working at Grant?

I’m a para-educator, so I work in special ed. I have six or seven students that I work with and I kind of travel around with them to their different classrooms, and make sure they take notes, write in their planners, stay organized.

How would you describe your relationship with the students?

Just treat them with respect, knowing when to back off to let them succeed in the class on their own. I try to encourage them to do as much as they can in their classes. I don’t want to be a crutch.

Do you ever see yourself bringing Elmo to Grant?

I’m working on right now bringing him to the end of the year picnic for the special ed kids at Laurelhurst. Carol Campbell, the principal, has even approached me like, “When are you gonna bring your horse here?”

Have you had to go through a difficult or emotional time?

Losing my little sister and both my parents really helped me connect with a lot of the kids I work with. A lot of these kids think we’re staff, our lives are just perfect. Hey, I’ve been through tough times, too. There’s a reason for it. You can make something good of it. ◊